NBA Draft Big Board Top 40

Welcome to the Latest Edition of the PickandPopDiaries NBA Draft big board! This is my biggest yet, 40 prospects deep.  Tomorrow, fellow blogger Evan Javel will have out the first of our Mock Drafts.  This list is how I look at players NBA skill sets, not the order of the draft, as each team has their own needs.  Enjoy, comment, and come back for more as we get ready for the postseason and the NBA Draft.

1. Ben McLemore, Kansas SG 6-5

By this point I'm sure everyone is familiar with the Kansas star freshman.  McLemore's combination of incredible athleticism, a sweet shooting stroke and strong defense have us all thinking he could be a future all star.  His inconsistencies though have left some doubt about his place atop the draft board, but I believe his skill set and good health should place him above Noel for most teams. Games like his monster effort against West Virginia on March 2nd when he dropped 36 on 12-15 shooting including 5-6 from deep speak to his potential.  His 2 point, 0-9 from the field performance in Kansas' 3rd round win in the tourney vs UNC show his inconsistencies.

2. Nerlens Noel, Kentucky PF/C 6-11

An ACL tear has not limited his value much at all on NBA draft boards.  The shot blocking phenom has incredible athleticism and energy. He will likely never be a big time scorer at the next level, but what he brings to a team is far more valuable than that.  If he could shoot well, I'd compare him to KG.  He has incredible passion and plays the game as hard as anyone.  Any team that drafts him will be making a great choice, he could easily go number 1.


3. Otto Porter, Georgetown SF 6-8

This kid does everything well.  He is a safe pick and will excel on the next level.  I see a lot of Rudy Gay in his game, but I believe he can score more efficiently.

4. Marcus Smart, Ok. St PG 6-4

The versatile Smart has as much potential as anyone, but I just haven't seen the consistency and shooting stroke that screams franchise player from the PG position.  I think he could be a similar player to Tyreke Evans, which is not a bad thing, but I believe not worthy of the top overall pick.  He does possess incredible passing, court vision and handle so regardless he will be a major asset on the next level.

5. Anthony Bennett, UNLV PF 6-8

I love AB and if he was 6-10 he would likely go number one, but as an undersized power forward, he will have his hands full at the next level.  He has excellent ball handling for his size, great agility and instincts, but he needs to improve both his shooting and conditioning to be a star.  He could be the next Paul Milsap and an offensive force on the next level. I do worry about his defense.

6. Victor Oladipo, Indiana SG 6-5

OLA-DIPO! That chant never got old for me this season as this athletic freak took the NCAA by storm.  A first team All American, he is a dominant wing defender, a terrific driver and finisher at the rim and a solid shooter.  If he can become a knock down shooter, which is possible with his pretty shooting stroke, he could be 20-25 point a game scorer.

7. Shabazz Muhammed, UCLA SG/SF 6-6

Well Bazz is one year older than we all thought and that hurts him by pushing him out of top 5 consideration.  He struggles defensively and getting his teammates involved, but he can score with the best of them.  He should be able to come into the league and be a double digit scorer right away.

8. Cody Zeller, Indiana PF/C 6-11

You couldn't ask for a more polished big man. He does everything well, has great footwork and absolutely flies up and down the court.  He needs to get stronger, much stronger, but he comes in ready to play big minutes right away.

9. Trey Burke, Michigan PG 6-0

This kid has heart to go along with his amazing skill set.  He isn't the fastest or strongest, both of which he will work on, but he just knows how to play on both ends of the floor.  He is the heart of Wolverines and the likely national player of the year.  I would love to have a warrior like this on my team.

10. Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse PG 6-5

The best passer in this class, MCW has risen to new heights in the tourney.  He now is finally looking like the scorer we all thought he could be, dominating the paint as a PG. He may need one year to adjust and add some strength as well as adjusting to man-to-man defense (the Cuse run a zone) but as a point guard prospect in this class I don't think he's far behind Smart.

11. Alex Len, Maryland C 7-1

Well, his guards are not very good and don't get him looks in good scoring position, but the polished big man can score from about anywhere. He will need to add considerable strength, but a Brook Lopez comp is not out of the question if things go well for him.

12. Glen Robinson III, Michigan SF 6-6

He doesn't get enough looks in the Michigan offense and I thought about placing him hire on this list, but for now I'll keep him late lottery.  He can shoot, pass, and handle well. He has great athleticism and length which he combines with intelligent play.  He doesn't always show up, but as I said, I believe that is more a factor of playing on such a stacked team. If he gets stronger (do I say this for everyone?) and handle the physicality of NBA SFs than he will be a steal this late.

13. Gary Harris, Mich. St. SG 6-4

A great athlete with an NBA body, the only downsides to this player is that he is not a great shooter yet and he is little undersized.  He can get to the rim and finish in a variety of ways from 15 feet in.  A solid player, not a star.

14. Mason Plumlee, Duke PF 6-10

Plumlee is made for the NBA with his speed and leaping ability.  I think he will flourish with a double double average within a couple seasons.  If he gets picked up by a running team like Houston or Golden State or plays with an elite point guard he will be a monster.

15. Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga C 7-0

The smooth big man from Canada can score in any way. Back to the basket, face up, or on the break the man can just score.  He isn't an elite rebounder or shot blocker but he does know how to play.  His big-time improvement this year gives me hope he can be a good pro.  And yes, he needs to add strength to play in the post in the NBA.

16. CJ McCollum, Lehigh SG 6-3

A true scorer with good handle, he comes in NBA ready.  A nice player to add if he slips to a playoff caliber team.

17. Steven Adams, Pitt C 7-0

A project big no doubt, but you cannot teach size and athleticism.  He is strong and plays with great energy too. I think he should stay, but as the youngest of 18 children, family pressures are likely to push him into the draft.

18. Dario Saric, Croatia, SF 6-10

He is a very skilled wing player who can handle and dish the rock.  Great court vision and rebounding are combined with a below average jump shot.  He needs work, but with a good shooting stroke could be a star.

19. Jeff Withey, Kansas C 7-0

The dominant shot blocker from Kansas should have a long prosperous NBA career.  He is not a great rebounder, but can finish at the rim and will be active on both ends.  I really like this pick for any NBA playoff team.

20. Jammal Franklin, San Diego St. SG 6-5

A terrific rebounder and slasher, Franklin is also a great defensive player.  While he does not have star potential, he screams glue guy for a playoff team.

21. Rudy Gobert, France PF/C 7-1

He has a massive 7'9" wingspan to go along with great athleticism.  He doesn't have great strength or a polished offensive game, but as a project he an intriguing one.

22. Archie Goodwin, Kentucky SG 6-5

Goodwin looked out of control for most of the season with wild drives and scoring very inefficiently most of the time.  He does however have great ability.  More seasoning would be nice, but he is a first round pick right now.

23. Gorgui Dieng, Louisville C 6-11

A good rebounder and shot blocker, I think he should be a quality big man at the next level.  A post up game could make him a very dangerous player.  Another of the quality bigs that will be available at the end of the first round in this draft.

24. Isiah Austin, Baylor SF/PF 7-0

While he is super skilled and tall, he just hasn't had any consistency this year.  I believe he should stay, but a team will bite on him in the first if he goes.

25. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia SG 6-5

Great shooter, defender and overall athlete his big weakness is moving with the ball. He could be a really good pro.

26. Shane Larkin, Miami PG 5-11

I hope he stays, but Larkin can handle the ball, shoot well and is a solid passer.  I think he could be Jameer Nelson 2.0 if he works on his finishing ability at the rim

27. Tony Mitchell, North Texas PF 6-8

A freak athlete who can do everything well, yet just doesn't most games.  If he gets his motor right, I think he could be Kenyon Martin.

28. James Michael-McAdoo, UNC PF 6-9

He is a great athlete, but a constant disappointment.  Maybe the challenge and coaching of the NBA level could get him to finally play to his potential.

29. Mitch McGary, Michigan, PF/C 6-10

McGary is a huge body who came in as the second highest rated prospect out of high school last year.  He has had a monster tourney, but from watching him for the full year I believe he can score and rebound at the NBA level, but may get taken to school on defense. His best comp is Nikola Pekovic if he maxes his potential.

30. Allen Crabbe, Cal SG/SF 6-6

The PAC-12 player of the year is a just a great scorer with deep range on his jump shot.  He goes after loose balls and is a good rebounder for his position.  He is not particularly athletic or strong, but he seems to be able to get off his shot regardless and can stick with his man on defense.  I could see him being a sneaky pick and turning into a Kevin Martin type player.

31. Patrick Young, Florida C 6-9

He didn't seem to get better this year, but I believe he can still be a quality defensive minded big man.  A quality shot blocker, he needs to improve his rebounding and touch around the rim. He will be a nice pickup for a team if he slides into the second round.

32. Russ Smith, Louisville PG/SG 6-0

A flat-out shooter and slasher, Smith can and loves to score.  He seems to work hard and could be a sixth man type scorer in the mold of Ben Gordon if he is able to get his shot off against the bigger NBA players.  He does have a nice step back which should be his go to at the next level.

33. Myck Kabongo, Texas PG/SG 6-1

Another good undersized scorer and point guard, Myck, who sat out much of the year due to a BS suspension by the NCAA looks to be a sleeper pick. He can pass and handle well, has nice range on his shot, is a scrappy defender and doesn't make too many turnovers. I love this pick at the end of the first for a team like San Antonio or Miami.

34. Lucas Nogueira, Brazil PF/C 6-11

Athletic shot blocker who has a lot of effort in his game is a project offensively.  He is also very weak, but a team could draft him and hold him overseas for a couple years to bulk up before coming over.

35. Adreian Payne, Mich St. PF/C 6-9

An Athletic freak, Payne is a really smooth athlete and looks comfortable as a high post player.  He will block shots and fight for rebounds.  Another player I think should get some looks at the end of the first or be a steal in the second.

36. CJ Leslie, NC State PF 6-9

I have loved Leslie since he came to NC State.  He would be a nice backup power forward as he can run on the break, fight for boards and will mix it up on D.  Needs to add strength to bang with NBA bigs, but this is a skilled man.

37. Doug McDermit, Creighton PF 6-8

A pure scorer and back to back All American, Dougie needs to get in much better shape to play in the NBA.  If he puts in the hard work, he could be a Keith Van Horn type (offensively skilled, limited on D).

38. Nate Wolters, South Dakota St. PG 6-3

He did it all for his Jack Rabbits, Wolters is a great scorer and ball handler.  I don't think he has the speed to be good NBA defender but I think he can score at any level.

39. PJ Hairston, UNC SG 6-5

Strong guard who can shoot from three and take it the whole. He plays with a lot of grit and heart which is great to watch but he is not a great ball handler and lacks the knock down elbow jumper.  I have heard he had weight issues in the past, but I believe with NBA conditioning that should not be a problem.

40.  Reggie Bullock, UNC SF 6-6

Great shooter and scorer in general, Bullock needs to add strength to play D.  I think he could be a nice end of the bench shooter.

NBA Draft Prospect Watch: ACC Tournament

The ACC tournament starts today at noon with Boston College taking on  Georgia Tech at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. The conference tournaments provide the world with one last chance to watch the premier teams on a neutral floor before March Madness starts. Filling out a solid bracket usually starts by understanding who is playing their best basketball to end the season, and there is no better place to ascertain this than, the conference tournaments.

For NBA fans the conference tournaments have an additional function. These tourneys allow players  to begin a meteoric rise that could lift an athlete to the first round, or on the flip side show the holes in their game that prove they are not NBA material.

Since I am Boston College basketball fan, I make sure to watch as much ACC basketball as my time allows. With some knowledge of the Atlantic Coast draft prospects I give you the top five prospects to look out for in the ACC tournament (in no particular order)

Erick Green
Virginia Tech
Combo Guard

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	BPG
25.4	4.1	3.9	.482	0.2

NBA Comparable: Jason Terry
NBA Role: Bench Microwave Scorer

Green has had an outstanding season. Despite playing on an awful team he was able to capture the ACC player of the year trophy, which usually goes to the best player on the best team in the conference. Green is a superb scorer, with good straight line speed to the hoop. He also has a wide array of off the dribble moves that he uses to create space for his high releasing jump shot.

Being that he is already 22 years old he lacks the upside of some of his draft counterparts. What he lacks in upside he makes up for by being a professional scorer (even in the college ranks). If he is drafted by a team that allows him to provide bench scoring and doesn't ask too much he should excel. If a team drafts him to be their point guard and asks him to get his teammates involved he will flounder in the league. Expect him to go in the second round due to the NBA's recent phobia of college Seniors.
 
Alex Len
Maryland
Center

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	BPG
11.8	8.1	0.8	.526	1.9

 NBA Comparable: (a poor man's) Pau Gasol
NBA Role: Skilled Finesse Big Man

Alex Len is a enormous prospect that doesn't come around often. Standing at 7'1 and weighing 255 he looks every bit the part of an elite center in the NBA, that combined with his youth (19 years old) screams potential. On top of his physical make up, Len is an extremely skilled post player, possessing good touch around the basket, and the ability to score over both shoulders in the post.

Despite the glowing previous paragraph, Len has failed to live up to his elite potential in his two years at Maryland. There are two reasons for this, the Terapin guards have not been getting him the ball in good scoring position and his inability to get deep post position. The latter reason is extremely troubling. Game after game Len was pushed out of the paint by players who were smaller but stronger than him. If Len can get stronger so that he can receive the ball in a position to score, he will be a very good NBA player.

Mason Plumlee
Duke
Power Forward

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	BPG
17.2	10.3	2	.589	1.5

NBA Comparable: Taj Gibson
NBA Role: Uptempo Power Forward

Mason Plumlee is a perfect example of scouts having too much film on a four year player. As is often the case Seniors are viewed more harshly than younger players, after playing four seasons scouts have had the opportunity to see every fault of a player. As careers progress Seniors are viewed more on what they can't do than what they can, where with freshman weaknesses can be dismissed due to inexperience.

Plumlee is one of the best players in the ACC. He leads an elite team in an elite conference. He has the length to finish at the rim on offense and bother shots on defense. He can finish with either hand, in the post and can occasionally knock down the mid range jumper. However, all of this is diminished because he has less upside the his younger counterparts in the draft.

Through his college career Plumlee has been a strong, steady force for the Blue Devils. Although, there were games where he was shut down, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Despite being a very good college player, his game is tailor made for the NBA. His length, athleticism and ability to run the floor will allow him to flourish in the wide open professional game.

James McAdoo
North Carolina
Forward

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	BPG
14.6	7.6	1.2	.448	0.4

NBA Comparable: Thaddeus Young
NBA Role: 3/4 Match Up Nightmare

McAdoo is exactly the type of player that scared teams to death 10 years ago, the dreaded tweener. Fortunarely for him, the NBA has changed in the last ten years. Before every team in the league had someone who could score from the low post, now those true post scorers are in the single digits. This lack of post scoring is a great thing for McAdoo, who could be exposed on the defensive end for his lack of height. The league today simply does not have the players to take advantage of this deficiency.

While McAdoo might not have the length to effectively defend in the post, he has the strength, athleticism and the motor to be an effective rebounder. Rebounding has replaced post defensive as the most essential skill for power forwards and McAdoo has this skill in spades. On offense he is relentless in attacking the glass, on defense he consistently boxes out which might not help his individual rebounding numbers, but it does help Carolina's overall rebounding numbers.

 At the four in the NBA, McAdoo will use his speed to get a plethora of baskets in transition. He will make it in the league as an energy player getting offensive rebounds and playing hard.

C.J. Leslie
North Carolina State
Small  Forward

PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	BPG
14.9	7.5	1.4	.531	1.2

NBA Comparable: Tyrus Thomas/Hakim Warrick
NBA Role: Athletic Small Forward off bench

A great athlete who can take over games by being active. Unfortunately his activity level wanes from time to time. In the NBA this inconsistent effort will get him a one way ticket to the bench. If he is able to bottle his athleticism and make sure his motor never stops he could be a very good player.

Despite playing power forward in college Leslie is of too slight build to play the same position in the pros. Everyone would back him down in the paint and get layups, just like they do to Hakim Warrick. The difference between their games to me is the quickness and strength of Leslie, which I believe will allow him to play defense in way Warrick has not been able to in the pros.

At this point and time his game is strictly about length and vertical, but with work he could develop a consistent face up game to go along with his god given talents. With his high upside he could easily get hot in the tournament, and his stock could skyrocket.

Updated Prospect Watch: The impact of Nerlens Noel's Injury

When the likely top draft choice goes down with a season ending injury, it shakes up the whole field.  Let's take a look at my revised top ten in this edition of Prospect Watch.

1. Ben McLemore-McLemore is the one player I truly feel has star written all over him.  He is a long athletic two guard with a beautiful shooting stroke.  He can take it to the cup or rain three pointers if given space. For the season, McLemore is now raised his shooting percentages to 44% from downtown and 51% overall. Scouts have seen consistent improvement to his game too since he stepped onto the court for Kansas.  Going from a player who looked a little out of control on the court to a player who is playing against inferior competition   He is just better than everyone.  And that doesn't just mean offensively.  McLemore projects as a plus defensive player, with great range, quickness and length.  This kid is going to be a star.

2. Shabazz Muhammad-Shabazz is a dynamic scorer, flat out.  He works well in the isolation game or as an off the ball stretch player.  I see him as an excellent pick and roll partner at the next level.  He projects as a small forward likely, standing at 6'6" with an incredible 6'11" wingspan to go with solid athleticism. I don't think Shabazz is a super-star player, I think he is an elite scorer though.  His shooting numbers have dipped slightly as he is down to just 46% shooting on the season, but he has a good release and should be able to score at the next level. What is really holding him back is his lack of facilitating ability; he just doesn't set his teammates up well, although the more spread out game of the pros should help him there.  He is also not a great defensive player.  He normally stays with his man, but does not challenge shots well not does he create turnovers with active hands like McLemore.

3. Anthony Bennett-AB is an absolute monster.  He is only 6'8" at the power forward positon, but has great length with a plus 7 foot wing span.  He can score in a variety of ways, both on the post back to the basket or facing up on the perimeter. He currently sits around 18 points a game for his UNLV squad to go along with 8 boards.  He is an elite athlete at that position and can stretch the floor shooting 35% from downtown. If he was 2 inches taller he would supplant McLemore for the number one pick. He may be Canada's best player since Steve Nash.

4. Nerlens Noel-Despite his recent ACl tear, I still think Nerlens is a top draft target.  I actually think he goes from a risky top 1 or 2 pick, to one of the safest selections in the draft just a few choices down.  When he was healthy we saw exactly what we expected out of high school.  Rediculous shot blocking ability at nearly 5 a game, good rebounding at nearly 10 a game and a work in progress in offensive game, scoring around 10 on mostly dunks and free throws. Noel is clearly going to be a difference maker defensively with his length and athleticism.  It's whether that raw talent can become something on the offensive end that scouts are curious about.  He's a bit of a project either way, but at anything after the 3rd pick he is well worth the risk.  He has a top tier motor, always working hard and hustling.  He was injured on a hustle play in fact, but his motor is a big reason I love him.

5. Alex Len-Len is just a big man who knows how to score. He needs to get a lot stronger, but he has both back to the basket moves and face up shooting. He has great height, standing at 7'1" but is only 225 pounds, so he needs to add a bunch of strength.  He has Brook Lopez type offensive skills, so we will see if it translates at the next level, but it's hard for scouts to pass over a potentially good scorer at the center position.  The Ukrainian will need a year or so of adjustment time at the next level to get his conditioning where it needs to be, but his coordination and shooting ability are hard to come by for a player his size.  He is a solid rebounder and shot blockers, averaging 8 and 2 respectively in just 26 minutes a game. I like Len a lot and think he could move up on my rankings, especially if scouts continue to sour on Shabazz. He is a potential sleeper pick at number 2 behind McLemore.

6. Marcus Smart-Well the freshmen point guard has showed flashes of what he could be, but has not done it on a regular basis. Possessing great size at 6'4" 225, he is a physical player on both ends.  Defensively he doesn't mind mixing it up, blocking shots or getting in the passing lane.  He is one of the best in college ball at stealing passes along the wings.  He is not an elite shooter, but has solid form, so they hope is that he comes around. He currently shoots around 41% including just 30% from distance.  He is a great rebounder for his position, and a solid passer. He needs to improve his playmaking in getting easy shots for his teammates.  He has a little Tyreke Evans in him, but that's not a bad things.  Smart has some of the best potential in the draft and has supplanted MCW for top PG prospect.

7. Cody Zeller-Zeller is just a solid big man.  He is fluid offensively, running the floor like a guard and finishing with superior touch.  He can shoot well, is an elite passing big, and has all the intangibles you look for as a winner.  His biggest downsides are that he is not an elite rebounder and he is undersized/weak at the center position.  He projects as a power forward, but will need to add a lot of strength to play at the next level.  I'm a little discouraged with his play this year, but I know he could step onto an NBA team and help right away. Another very safe pick.

8. Michael Carter Williams- A 6'5" point guard with elite ball handling and court vision don't come around very often.  MCW is a pure point guard with great defensive instincts to boot.  What is holding him back is his shooting ability as he is under 40% shooting on the year. Watching him though, I think he can develop a dangerous NBA 3 point shot given time.  He is a smart player, making correct situational calls consistently.  MCW is also old for his class as a 21 year old sophomore who will be 22 early on during the next NBA season.

9. Mason Plumlee-The only college senior on my list, Plumlee is a rare combination of size (6'11" and 240 LBs) and athleticism.  His statistical output increase has been quite impressive as he went from averages of 11 points, 9 boards on 57% shooting his junior year to 18 points, 11 boards on 60% shooting despite increased defensive attention during his senior campaign.  Plumlee is a skilled and willing passer to boot.  He doesn't have the enormous potential as some of the other bigs here because of his "advanced" age, but his game looks to be tailor made for the pro level.  He should continue to be a very effective rebounder on both ends (he may find his calling cleaning up the offensive glass) and will be ready to step in right away.  While we have seen Plumlee improve his back to the basket moves he needs to continue to do so in order to be a respected two way player at the next level.  I'd also like to see Plumlee add a few more pounds of muscle to help him hold position on the post when facing the pro sized athletes in the NBA. He is a very low risk player. THIS HILARIOUS VIDEO BELOW HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY. (I need a life)

10. Victor Oladipo- This young man is a crazy athlete with  explosiveness rarely found.  He is already an elite defensive player, locking up opposing shooting guards around the country.  He reminds me a lot of Tony Allen in that way.  Oladipo has also shows a much better shooting touch of late. We all know his finishing ability and soft touch around the basket, but now he is starting to spread the floor. He has raised his three point shooting to 52% and is shooting a god like 65% from the field in general.  For a shooting guard to be shooting that high a percentage is absurd.  65% from your primary wing player, think about that for a second and you will understand how he and Zeller have the Hoosiers ranked number one right now.  I absolutely love this kid, he is going to be a top tier defensive player and fast break finisher.  He will need to add the range on his distance shot to include NBA three point range, but with how much he has improved already, sky is the limit. Watch the video to see his athleticism. Just Wow

Check in later for ranking by position too. Check me on Twitter too @theNBAninja

NBA Draft Prospect Watch

This draft looks to be a deep draft in terms of talented rotational players, but there looks to be a dearth of star power at the top.  I won't yet put out a mock draft, not until tourny time in March, but for now let's look at the top ten collegiate players that look to be lottery locks:



1. Nerlens Noel (6'11" PF/C): Noel, in his freshmen year at Kentucky, has showed scouts that he is the elite defensive force as was his billing when he graduated high school.  Noel not only blocks shots (3.5 per game) but he also does a great job rebounding.  What separates Noel from other tall physical specimens is his motor.  Noel has an incredible effort level allowing for activity on both the offensive and defensive glass, an ability to alter any interior offense by Kentucky opponents, and to get easy buckets in transition.  While Noel struggles to find an offensive game outside of easy dunks/layups, he does have a smoothness with the ball that leads me to believe he will develop a quality jump hook shot.  He has excellent hands and good footwork, but is not a good jump shooter. I don't ever see him being an elite offensive player, but as he adds pounds to his thin frame and fills out, I see him being an elite defender at the next level. He is certainly not the most skilled player in the draft, but he is a PF/C and those are hard to come by, so size wins against the superior skill level of the next guy on my list.

2. Shabazz Muhammad (6'6" SG/SF): What Shabazz lacks in elite athleticism he makes up for with hard nosed physical play, intelligence  and an enormous wing span which spans nearly 7 feet.  As a shooting guard/small forward combo, he is one of the top players in the country at getting to the rim whether off the ball cutting or with the ball in his hand.  He has excellent footwork and seems to effortlessly get his shot off.  After being suspended at the start of the season for UCLA by the NCAA due to an investigation into improper benefits, Shabazz returned to action looking out of shape and sluggish  but quickly turned his game around.  He is averaging nearly 20 points and 5 boards a game on 50% shooting.  Speaking of his shooting, he is a much better shooter than I was anticipating after watching his high school film.  As mentioned above, his length is a huge plus as it allows him to cover bigger multiple positions defensively. He needs to work on his right hand though, as the lefty struggles when forced to his off hand. He has the ability to be one of the true star players in this draft. I could see him being a similar player to James Harden.

3. Alex Len (7'1" C): This is one enormous man.  Still only a sophomore  he needs to fill out his frame a little more by adding both lower and upper body strength, but the skill set is there for this guy to be an offensive force at the NBA level. He is averaging 13.3 points per game but only playing 25 minutes per contest as his conditioning needs to improve.  He has a very solid back to the basket game and great touch around the hoop.  He also has a decent mid range jump shot.  He will definitely be a player who will need a year of seasoning to get into NBA shape but his high skill level and size should give him a long NBA career.  Check out these highlights from the Kentucky game to get an idea of what he brings to the table:

4. Cody Zeller (7'0" PF/C): By now, you have probably heard a lot about Cody Zeller, either because he is the best player on one of the top teams in the country or because of his family's basketball pedigree.  Zeller will not be a star at the NBA level, but as we all know, size is hard to come by in the NBA, and Zeller could easily be a 15 and 10 type of guy in the league.  He runs the floor with the effortless grace of a small forward and is certainly one of the best big men runners in the country. He has a high basketball basketball IQ and great patience offensively.  He doesn't have the elite athleticism of some other players which will limit him defensively at the NBA level, but he makes up for this with excellent footwork on both ends of the floor. He creates space in his back to the basket game and I would not hesitate in drafting him as he will surely be a solid contributor for many years at the next level. He needs to add strength, like all young big men, and I believe he may struggle to stay out of foul trouble as he adjusts to NBA speeds.  I really like his game though.

5. Ben McLemore (6'4.5" SG): McLemore is an elite athlete with a beautiful jump shot (although it's not falling at the rate i'd expect).  He projects to be a lockdown defender as well.  He has a great NBA body, but could add some more strength.  He plays very hard, going to the basket sacrificing his body and diving for loose balls defensively.  His best asset right now is his ability to slash and get to the basket in the uptempo game.  He doesn't have the longest of wingspans at just 6 foot 7 inches (he is 6 foot 4 and one half inch tall) but relies on a very quick release on his jumper which will be crucial at the next level.  As mentioned above his shot, while very beautiful looking, hasn't been something he is able to consistently knock down. I'm excited to see how he fares against tougher talent in the conference and field of 64 tournaments, but I think he has the ability to also be a star at the next level.

6. Anthony Bennett (6'7" PF):  The Hottest name rising on NA+BA draft boards right now is UNLV's Anthony Bennett.  This undersized, but incredibly strong PF has all the tools to succeed at the NBA level. He is undersized at 6'7" but has a 7'1" wingspan.  He shoots 74% at the rim, top ten in the NCAA so his height has not limited his ability to finish down low  He is as versatile a scorer as you will find as he can score in the post or stretch the defense and shoot 3's. His mid range game as a turn and shoot player is also exceptional.   I see a lot of Paul Milsap in his game. Can he defend 3's at the next level? probably not, so he will likely stay at the 4, but man. this kid can score. 2 inches taller and he'd be the number one pick hands down. Needs to improve defense and positional rebounding.  Check out this amazing highlight video/draft video for this kid by draftexpress:

7. Alex Poythress (6'7" SF): Poythress is one of those guys that is hard not to love.  He is an outstanding defensive player who can guard multiple positions, is great at penetrating and getting to the rim, and is a great rebounder.  An elite athlete, what holds Poythress back from being a few spots higher is that he is not a good shooter and will need to add strength to be able to guard NBA small forwards.  He always seems to be the aggressor on the court, putting the defense on its heels, but it's hard for him to take advantage of it without being a knockdown shooter. He finishes at the rim with great power and touch when necessary   He should be a solid role player/energy guy in the pros.

8. Michael Carter-Williams (6'5" PG): Without question the top PG in the country, MCW is a rare combination of size, court vision, ball handling and unselfishness.  He was a top flight scorer out of high school and was a backup point guard his freshmen year at Syracuse  but has re-secured his spot among the top players in college basketball with his play this season.  He is averaging 10 assists and 3 steals to go along with 12 points this season.  He has incredible court vision and seems calm with the ball in his hands.  He is not a great shooter right now, but has a great tweener/floater shot in the lane.  He can score from anywhere, but just needs to find consistency on his jump shot.  He has amazing quickness his first few steps giving him great separation ability. When he adds strength in prepping for the NBA draft, his stock could skyrocket.  His length and handle bring to mind former lottery pick Shaun Livingston, but i believe MCW has a much better chance to be a good pro after being seasoned at Syracuse for two seasons.

9.  Tony Mitchell (6'8" PF): Mitchell has been on the NBA scouting scene for awhile now, but he has seen his stock take a huge hit with his poor play this season.  I still like Mitchell and have kept him in my top ten despite his woes this season.  An athletic specimen with a 7'3" wingspan he plays above the rim and is an excellent shot blocker.  His length also allows him to be a terrific rebounder and finisher in the transition game. He can score back to the basket or take his man off the dribble displaying great speed for a big man.  He does come with quite a bit of baggage however.  He was forced to sit out his first two seasons as he was academically ineligible. He also has been labeled a low or inconsistent motor guy, something that is never good to hear. Despite all his issues, I think he has a bright NBA future if he can be motivated perhaps even a Kenyon Martin type career.

10. Mason Plumlee (6'11" PF): Plumlee's game is perfect for the NBA.  He is just an average shooter from any sort of distance, but that's one of his few weaknesses right now.  He has an excellent motor to combine with elite athleticism.  He is both a terrific positional rebounder as well an athletic above the rim rebounder. One knock that followed him into this season is that he was not a part of the Bluedevils offensive gameplan and relied solely on fast break points or offensive rebound putbacks.  He has put that to rest somewhat this year as he has been given many chances to score in the post. His stats have jumped from 11 and 9 last year to 19 and 11 this year. He can score with either hand down low, is a solid passer, and is an improving shooter.  If he slides to a playoff team, he could have a big time immediate impact in the NBA. Once he adds some strength i see him as a double-double guy in the league.

Just missed but could climb second half: Archie Goodwin, Isiah Austin, James McAdoo, CJ Mccolum, Otto Poter, and many more.

Next time I'll look at some more prospects and catch you up on anyone making waves with NBA scouts. Let me know what you think in the comments.